Catch the Groomer

 Jack & Rudy zooming along as we were first tracks on the freshly groomed trail!

Zooming! Wheeee!

I had a unique route in mind for our outing this morning. But, when we got to the trailhead, Jack & Rudy had other plans. First, they wanted to wrestle while I attempted to put my skis on. When I put a stop to the wrestlefest, they decided pre-run snow angels must be in the plans instead:

My skis are lined up. I am ready to go...
"If we can't wrestle, then we'll roll instead!" demonstrates the
silly kids.

Once I got the goofballs upright, it was time for a unique outing on a variety of conditions.

We started the day in the backcountry and found ourselves breaking trail in 15+ inches of untouched snow for one stretch of the outing!

Trail breaking Jack & Rudy with impressive snow troughs
behind them!

After an aerobic stretch in the backcountry, we dropped onto a quiet and snowpacked road. There are only a handful of houses to be reached on this road, so it is safe to skijor when snowpacked and not run into cars.

Flying along the quiet & snowpacked road.

After the interesting jaunts in the backcountry and snowpacked roads, we dropped onto the groomed trails of Gold Run Nordic Center. We then got to play one of Jack & Rudy's favorite games: Catch the Groomer. The groomer was out on the trails just ahead of us and we had fun continually catching the groomer, stopping to give the groomer a head start and then catching the groomer again. Jack & Rudy are faster than a groomer on flat, downhill or gradual uphill trails. Eventually the groomer got to a wide point in the trail where he could stop and wave to us that it was ok to pass. 

Catch the Groomer! Wheeee

Of course, if we caught the groomer, you know what that means! It means we were first tracks on the newly groomed trail just behind the groomer. Come along as Jack & Rudy top 24 MPH skijoring the freshly groomed trail. We did not know we were going to catch the groomer at this point yet. Zoom.

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Back to the trailhead to enjoy 'end of run' treats with retired Zorro. Cute shot of Jack who is the "big kisser" in our pack and loves to give out affectionate licks.

"Ready!" says focused Zorro.
"Lick, smack!" performs kissy Jack.
"Just waiting my turn!" adds mellow Rudy.

A little bit of everything for Jack & Rudy on this morning's outing - breaking trail, snowpacked roads and freshly groomed trails! 9.3 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 24 MPH.

2020/2021 Season to Date: 91 days on the trails covering 738.4 miles with 64,400 feet of elevation climbed.